If it's using oil have them put a new engine in and roll on, 18000 miles on our 18 5.0, hasn't used any oil since day one.
The direct injection on the new 5.0's makes it a little noisy but nothing that raises a concern to me, but then most of the time I'm driving my 12 valve Cummins powered F-450, compared to that a new 5.0 is quite as a mouse.

 

Is there a reason you are avoiding the 2.7?

 

Im already on my second mill. Only 2,000 miles on this one, 28,000 on the last.

 

Tow rating. I need the Max Tow.

 

But max tow is only available with the 3.5 not the 5.0.

 

I know, but Im not considering the 5.0L again. I only got this one because there really is no major difference in a properly equipped 5.0L next to a Max Tow 3.5L. Maybe the rear bumper, which isn’t used anyway.

Frankly, I may not care about the Max Tow again, and just consider IF I Tow a travel trailer in the ownership cycle of my next truck, I’ll worry about it then. The 3.0L eats too much payload, and most of my F150s seem to hover around 1550# regardless of trim level.

 

For reference, my 3.5L Max Tow 157" 302a SuperCrew 4x4 2018 has a payload of 1857# via door sticker. The more I read of your usage, I'd have no problem recommending a similar truck for your use. Mine has been fantastic to date.

 

My 2018 non- Max Tow 157” 302a has a payload of 1,550ish. Ouch.

 

Boy, that long wheelbase take a few lbs off, my 145"WB 5.0, 4x4 302a is 1739lbs. w/3.31 gears.

 

Ours is the 157" wheelbase, non-max tow, and 3.31 comes out at 1723 lbs.

It's all about trim and accessories. If you really need max tow, you need to get a lightly optioned XT or XLT.

 

I guess that 4x4 eats into it as well, my 145"WB 5.0, 4x2 302A is 2219lbs w 3.31 gears. BTW my '15 5.0L has been perfect for almost 78K miles with the exception of needing a throttle body at 8K miles.

 

That 2012 5.0L still had the steel sleeves. The latest 5.0L no longer has sleeves. I think that is the root of the issue.

 

Here's my door sticker. I'm surprised that there is 300# difference between similarly equipped trucks 3.5L vs 5.0L. Mine is a Sport with the floor console. I don't have the FX4 package, but it has pretty much everything else.

 

The 5.0 trucks have a lower GVWR which plays into the payload. A 3.5 with max tow will have a 7050 rating. Some of the 5.0 trucks go down to 6600 rating.

 

My 18 STX 4x4 scab 5.0 truck has 7050 rating.